Yuan Dan Stage! Three Seal Talisman Master!

It wasn't over yet!

"The Yuan Dan has formed. Next, it's Mental Energy's turn."

With a thought from Lin Dong, the Mental Energy within his Niwan Palace began to stir rapidly. A Life Spirit Talisman within the Niwan Palace had long since cracked open with a rather large fissure, needing only the slightest bit more to split apart completely.

"Come forth, third Life Spirit Talisman!"

As his low shout fell, the Mental Energy in his Niwan Palace surged madly into the Life Spirit Talisman attempting to split. Under the ceaseless infusion, a crisp crack rang out, and the Life Spirit Talisman finally split apart completely.

The third Life Spirit Talisman had appeared!

Three Seal Talisman Master, achieved!

"Whoosh, whoosh~"

As the third Life Spirit Talisman formed, the raging storm of Mental Energy within the Niwan Palace gradually subsided.

"Minor Yuan Dan Stage, Three Seal Talisman Master—this truly is quite a powerful force. With my current strength, combining Origin Energy and Mental Energy, I can fight a Yuan Dan Great Completion expert without any issue. I have an eighty percent chance of winning."

His eyes slowly opened as Lin Dong spread his hands, silently sensing the vast power flowing through his body. An inexplicable joy welled up in his heart.

As the sun gradually rose, a new day began. The entire Lin Clan Territory was thoroughly stirred into a frenzy, for today was the Lin Clan's annual Clan Competition, a chance for the younger generation to show themselves.

Countless elders of the Lin Clan hurried toward the Lin Clan's Trial Hall with their children. Lin Xiao, Lin Dong, and Qing Tan were naturally among them.

Eastern Inner District of the Lin Clan, Trial Hall.

The arrival of Lin Xiao's group immediately drew the attention of a lean man greeting guests at the entrance. His brow visibly furrowed. "Lin Xiao, why have you come to the Trial Hall? Aren't you afraid of disgracing the clan?"

"I heard you only entered the Heavenly Yuan Stage two years ago. Your progress has truly been far too slow. It seems that taking charge of the clan's finances these past years has made you slack off considerably in your cultivation."

After hearing this, Lin Xiao stopped and looked up at his half-brother, Second Brother. A faintly superior tone colored his voice as he answered with a question of his own.

"Lin Xiao, you..."

Second Master Lin of the Lin Clan, Lin Mang, changed expression and was just about to rebuke him when he realized that Lin Xiao's family of three had already gone far away.

"Hmph, he's nothing more than a cripple permanently stuck at the Earth Origin Stage, unable to make any further progress in cultivation. What is he acting so proud for?"

Lin Mang's face darkened as his lips twitched. He viciously spat at Lin Xiao's retreating back.

Back when Lin Xiao had been the clan's second strongest expert, he, Lin Mang, had endured it. But now that Lin Xiao was practically crippled, why should he still show this so-called Third Brother a pleasant face?

"Father, you are now a Yuan Dan Stage expert, while Lin Mang is merely a tiny Heavenly Yuan Stage small fry. He actually dared call you useless. Doesn't that make him even worse than useless?"

After taking their seats, Lin Dong grumbled indignantly.

"He is merely a jumping clown. Let him be. Hmm, your grandfather and the others are here. Quickly, get up and greet them with me."

Lin Xiao swept his gaze around and spotted Lin Zhentian, the Lin Clan Patriarch, and several others entering through the doors. He promptly led his son and daughter forward to greet them.

"Third Brother, you finally decided to come out and see me?"

The old man in a brocade robe, his face carrying a trace of authority, looked at the son he had once been most proud of and spoke with a complicated expression.

"What are you saying, Father? These past few years, I merely wished to find a quiet place and focus on raising Dong'er and Qing Tan."

Lin Xiao stood tall, carrying an unshakable and imposing bearing.

"Eh? It seems you've changed quite a bit over these past years."

Seeing the tremendous change in his son, a trace of surprise flashed through Lin Zhentian's aged eyes. He had only seen such confidence in Lin Xiao before his injury.

"Still, you have raised Dong'er and Qing Tan quite well these past years. I heard that Dong'er was already able to defeat Hong'er, who was at Body Tempering Stage 6, four months ago, while Qing Tan could defeat Shan'er, who was at Body Tempering Stage 4?"

Lin Zhentian shifted his gaze toward Lin Dong and Qing Tan, who stood beside Lin Xiao.

"Grandfather."

Lin Dong and Qing Tan stepped forward together and gave a very obedient bow.

"Mm, you are both fine children of my Lin Clan. Perform well during the Clan Competition later. If you do well, Grandfather will reward you."

Lin Zhentian praised them briefly, then headed toward the main seats with Lin Dong's Uncle, Lin Ken.

The Lin Clan's Trial Hall remained noisy for quite some time before Lin Ken slowly rose at Lin Zhentian's signal. He clasped his hands and declared loudly, "The Lin Clan Competition officially begins!"

At the command of Lin Ken, the Lin Clan's First Master, the Trial Hall immediately became lively once more. One Lin Clan disciple after another lined up to draw lots for their matches, and soon grunts and shouts erupted from several stone platforms.

"Lin Changqiang, are you sure you want to compete against me?"

Lin Dong looked at the chubby boy struggling to climb onto the platform opposite him, smiling faintly.

"Ahem, I'm not competing with a freak like you. You entered Body Tempering Stage 7 four months ago. By now, you're probably already at the peak of Body Tempering Stage 7. I'm only at Body Tempering Stage 4. Whoever wants to fight you can fight you."

Lin Changqiang coughed lightly, then raised his right arm and shouted with complete confidence, "I concede!"

The several stone platforms where matches had just begun suddenly fell silent, and everyone turned to look. Conceding right at the start? Lin Changqiang had probably set the record for the fastest surrender.

Lin Ken's expression turned strange as well. He waved his hand in disgust. "If you concede, then get down quickly."

As for Lin Changqiang's father, Fifth Master Lin, he felt the urge to crawl into a hole. If not for Lin Zhentian's presence, he might have covered his face and fled immediately.

You unfilial brat, if you wanted to concede, then concede. Why did you have to shout so loudly? And with such conviction too. Was conceding something to be proud of?

Besides, so many important figures from Qingyang Town had come to observe the competition. Were you afraid people wouldn't know you were the son of Fifth Master Lin?

Hmph, once we get home tonight, I'll show you what deep paternal love truly means!!!

"Eh, Father, why does your face look so awful?"

After running down from the platform, Lin Changqiang gave his father a puzzled look.

"Mm, it's nothing. Focus on watching the Clan Competition. When we get home tonight, I have a surprise for you."

Fifth Master Lin forced down the urge to kill this unfilial brat on the spot and barely managed a loving father's smile.

"Alright, thank you, Father."

Lin Changqiang, whose limbs were more developed than his brain, did not think much of it. He cheerfully replied, then sat down and began watching his friend Lin Dong's match.

Hehe, who would have thought losing a match could still bring a surprise? How wonderful~

"Second match, Lin Yun versus Lin Dong."

Lin Ken swiftly announced Lin Dong's next opponent. A taciturn Gray-robed Youth nimbly leaped onto the Battle Platform.